Scarlett aimed her pistol out to sea and fired. A loud explosion erupted in her ears, followed by the shattering of glass before it fell into the ocean and disappeared.

“Bloody good shot,” the pirate said. “We'll make something of you yet.”

Scarlett had lost count how many tries it had taken to reach that point. She had only been taught how to use the gun once before being released to practice on her own. Over and over, she followed the steps of half-cocking the hammer, loading the muzzle with gunpowder and lead shot, ramming it down to the base of the barrel, loading the flash pan with gunpowder and closing the lid. Then she aimed and fired, causing the pistol to release a flurry of sparks from the flintlock. The force of the explosion caught her by surprise at first but eventually, she learned to keep her arm steady. Several empty bottles of spirits were used between her and William, some falling as one whole piece into the ocean while others broke into millions of tiny fragments.

William was starting to get the hang of shooting as well or at least as well as he intended. Scarlett, on the other hand, felt an unexpected sense of adrenaline every time she fired. Her good aim inflated her confidence and the approving exclamations of those around her only solidified it.

The two pirates designated with teaching Scarlett and William had accepted their assignment begrudgingly. But as Leslie spoke insistently on behalf of the Captain, they knew they had little choice in the matter. Scarlett's teacher was cold at first, remnants of the Captain's announcement likely still circulating in his head. But after she followed his direction closely, learned quickly how to hold the weapon to her liking and shattered several bottles, the men began to warm up to her. A look of admiration passed over their faces and they shrugged at each other. Scarlett smiled to herself and couldn't help but reflect on the Captain's proposition to her only hours earlier. Maybe she did have what it took.

Their lessons were concluded once Leslie was satisfied with the results. As a badge of honor, Scarlett and William were given bandoliers for their newly-assigned weapons. Built for a man's size, however, Scarlett's belt hung loosely around her. She tightened the leather around her torso as best as she could and placed the pistol in the bandolier. It would have to do.

All throughout her practice, Scarlett saw little of the Captain. Occasionally, she would catch glimpses of him on the stern deck, discussing navigational details with Leslie at the helm. But as she attempted to keep her attention on the task at hand, she lost sight of him and figured he had secluded himself in his cabin for most of the day. She imagined him pouring over miscellaneous papers on his desk, likely consisting of trade contracts.

Confirming her suspicions, she entered his cabin and found him sitting at his desk. He looked up and smiled, seeing the new addition to her attire.

“She's a changed woman,” he said, rising to greet her. “How does it feel?”

“Heavy,” she said, fiddling with the loose belt.

He let out a hearty laugh. “I might have something to amend that,” he said, wandering over to the wardrobe in the corner. “But how does it feel to be able to shoot?”

“Well, I suppose it felt exciting. But it also feels dangerous. It's good fun shooting bottles off the ship's edge but the thought of shooting a man…”

She fought to find words as the nerves in her stomach twisted. The Captain rummaged around in the wardrobe and then walked over to her, presenting another belt in his hands.

“The thought of shooting a man is terrifying?” he said. “Perhaps it's sickening? Perhaps it stirs up feelings of morality that such things are wrong? Love, let me give you a little advice. Trust me when I say you don't want to be the one facing the end of the barrel. It's not so traumatic when you're the last man standing.”

He removed her bandolier and discarded it on the desk. Then, he took the new belt and reached behind her, wrapping it around her waist and securing it snuggly at her side. It was more intricate in design and fastened by glistening, decorative buckles. Scarlett gazed down in awe at the leather piece while the Captain placed her pistol in the belt's holder as the finishing touch.

“There--that should be better,” he said. “You won't be able to go walking around like that, though. You'll need something to disguise it.”

He returned to the wardrobe and retrieved a long coat, tailored to a woman's size, and urged her to put it on. She obliged, feeling the weight of the deep red velvet on her shoulders as he helped her slip it on. It was double-breasted with wide cuffs and a thick collar. Lined with buttons and loops, the coat’s length fell midway down to her skirts and concealed her pistol perfectly.

“Beautiful,” the Captain said. “You look like a real pirate now. You may need to eventually pin up those full skirts somehow but I'm afraid I don't have anything for that.”

“Oh, you don't? You seem to have everything else in that wardrobe of yours.”

“The only women's clothing left aboard my ship have either been from wenches or ruffian pirates who have discarded their skirts and donned trousers like the men.”

She didn't respond and he gazed warily at the look on her face, which didn't conceal the thoughts running through her mind. She tried to avoid imagining the various types of woman he would have brought to his cabin in times past.

“That was many years ago,” he added, unconvincingly. “Well, regardless, they're yours now.”

“I'm content with my own clothing, thank you.”

“Oh come, now. Admit you like the coat just a little bit. The first rule to being a pirate is being ready and willing to take whatever you can from whoever you can. There is no dignity or honor in stealing.”

“But I'm not stealing.”

“No, but this is good practice for when you do,” he said, grinning. “Come, you can remove your gun and coat. We should scrounge up some supper before our long adventure ahead.”

----------

Supper passed and the crew dispersed to attend to nightly duties or wander off to nap before reaching their destination. Scarlett wandered off as well, climbing above deck to breathe in the fresh air. The moon rose high and glittered over the water, casting a soft, cool glow over the few pirates who steered their ship and watched for land and intruders. Scarlett paid no attention to them, though, and leaned against the bulwark, staring into the black depths of the sea passing slowly underneath their ship.

“Are you not cold?” came the Captain's voice behind her.

She turned to meet his face, smiling softly as she observed the moonlight illuminating his features. He didn't look tired or weathered anymore but stood tall and handsome as he approached closer.

“No, I find the cold air clears the mind,” she said, turning back towards the sea as he took position by her side. Their arms brushed and he placed a hand on hers, his warmth radiating onto her skin.

“So do I. I often come out here even in the middle of the night. There's nothing quite like the sea.” The Captain paused and watched the sails for a moment. “There's a strong wind tonight.”

Scarlett noticed a hint of concern in his voice. “Is that not good?”

“Well, as a sailor, we sometimes take the sea and her winds as an omen. I fear it's a sign of what's to come. I just have a feeling deep inside that something is wrong. I shouldn't be going to your sister. I shouldn't even have you on my ship. It's too dangerous.”

“Alex, we will be fine,” she said, though she realized she wasn't convincing herself either. She grasped both of his hands in hers. “We will find a way out of this.”

“Ever so optimistic,” he said, brushing her fingers against his lips and kissing them softly.

She had to refrain from shivering underneath his touch as a heavy question loomed in her mind. “What are you going to do about Bastian?”

“I don't know.” He released a sigh and turned to the sea, casting his gaze far out into the black distance towards the west. “I've heard there's great opportunity in the West Indies.”

“The West Indies? You mean those exotic lands in the middle of nowhere?”

“Aye, sounds exciting, doesn't it? Many people are setting off to find new lives there. A new land yet to be claimed, brimming with riches and adventure and plenty of piracy to go around. England is getting overloaded with Royalists and is far too civilized. Out there, there are colonies but the rules are much more liberating and much easier to break.”

“Alex, you're not thinking of running away, are you?”

“Yes, I am. Do you judge me? It's not the courageous thing to do. Captain Jones would never do such a thing, am I right?”

“But you just told your men you were going to stand up and fight.”

“I know but there's too much risk involved and too much I could lose,” he said, worry glistening in his eyes as he searched her face. “I don't want to lose you. In fact, I want you to come with me.”

Her heartbeat quickened as she listened to the urgency in his voice. “Come with you--you mean, to the West Indies?”

“Yes, love, think of the life we could have together--the adventure waiting for us. You said earlier you would think about it.”

“But, Alex, it's so far away. What about my family? What about my sister?”

His body sunk, a look of dejection on his face. “That's right. I can't ask you to leave them.”

“I wish I could go with you but there are some things that are just impossible.”

He nodded slowly. “It is asking for a lot of change from anyone--even my crew. But these waters are getting too dangerous. I think this is a move I will need to make, no matter who goes with me or not.”

Scarlett felt a wave of sadness weigh down on her and she finally understood the meaning of the heavy winds. It was as if they were beginning to shift and there was nothing she could do to prevent it. Even though they had already parted once before, the thought of losing the Captain again was almost too much to bear. She had had some consolation knowing he was always near but now the thought of him leaving for the West Indies, disappearing into nowhere halfway across the world, terrified her. Tears sprang to her eyes but she batted them away, ashamed to show her selfish fears. However, before the Captain could notice, they were startled by a sudden voice shouting high above in the crow's nest.

“Land ho!”